An Overview of Burnout Syndrome in Physiotherapists

Freudenberger (1974) and Maslach (1976) were the first to describe Burnout Syndrome (BOS). It is defined as a state of mental exhaustion and depression at work accompanied by fatigue and decreased ability to cope with cognitive and emotional needs and mental distancing. Healthcare professionals are most commonly affected by BOS as they spend more hours dealing with the pain and problems of patients. Physiotherapy is a profession that needs long-term interaction with the patients as they also have to deal with patients’ psychological issues like depression and aggression. Thus, physiotherapists as health care providers are markedly exposed to strain because of close interaction with sick people who require medical attention for a longer duration. Many studies have proved the vulnerability of physiotherapists to Burnout Syndrome. But there is less focus on the prevention and management protocols. Hence, this article provides a brief overview of BOS in physiotherapists and ways to manage BOS.